The Cincinnati Bengals have taken chances on character risks in the NFL draft and beyond in the recent past, but their owner made it clear that they would not have taken Aaron Hernandez in 2010.

Mike Brown, also the team's general manager, told Fox Sports Ohio that the Bengals wanted nothing to do with Hernandez, who slid to the New England Patriots in the fourth round.

"That one is no secret," Brown said. "We just stayed away from (Hernandez). We didn't question the playing ability, but we went for (Jermaine) Gresham."

Gresham, a first-round pick in '10, has rewarded the Bengals with a Pro Bowl trip as one of the league's talented young receiving tight ends. Hernandez, released by the Patriots last week, is in jail, charged with first-degree murder in the death of former semipro player Odin Lloyd.

There were several other skilled tight ends in that draft class, including Rob Gronkowski, the Saints' Jimmy Graham and the Ravens' Dennis Pitta. The Bengals also red-flagged Gronkowski for another reason: Concerns about his "bad back."

With Hernandez gone from New England and Gronkowski a question mark for early in the season after having back surgery, the Bengals are set up to have the much better tight end combination in 2013 with top-flight rookie Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame) joining Gresham in their passing attack.

The Bengals have most recently gotten the best out of previously troubled players. Former feature back Cedric Benson produced well for them, and their defense has been helped by cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones and linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

The decision not to go for a talent such as Hernandez was part of Cincinnati's plan to turn over a new leaf with personnel. There's no question it has high character in current core players such as quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green.